Vocabulary Spotlight
Dally
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To waste time or act playfully; to engage in casual or flirtatious behavior.
“She would often dally by the river, enjoying the warmth of the sun.”
Pronunciation
[ˈdæl-i]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Loiter
Waste time
Delay
Flirt
Antonyms
Rush
Proceed
Advance
Focus
Related Words
Procrastinate (verb)
Idle (verb)
Word Origin
“Dally” comes from Middle English “dalien,” which means to chat or make merry. Over time, it has come to mean lingering, wasting time, or engaging in playful, non-serious activities.
Word Family
Verb: Dally – To waste time or play around.
Noun: Dalliance – A casual romantic or playful engagement.
Mnemonics
Remember “Dally” as “Daily delay” – a playful, casual way of postponing things.
Industry-specific Usage
Time Management
In time management, dallying refers to procrastinating or delaying tasks without urgency.
Relationships
In relationships, to dally can imply a casual or flirtatious interest without serious commitment.
Leisure and Recreation
In leisure contexts, to dally means enjoying oneself in a slow or unhurried way, as in relaxing by a beach.
In Context
Dallying often implies a light-hearted, relaxed approach to time, either by procrastinating or lingering without a clear goal. In social settings, dallying can indicate flirtatious or casual behavior without intent, while in daily life, it suggests an indulgence in leisure over productivity. The term reminds us of the value of slow moments, though excessive dallying may delay necessary work.